As parents, we always want the best for our kids. Be it the school they are going to, the people they are engaging with, or the interests they are fostering. However, as kids grow, they tend to become responsible and might want to take on life’s challenges independently.
While it is a transformative experience, today’s lifestyle has made it challenging for kids to cope, ultimately resulting in them experiencing strong emotions like anxiety, self-doubt, and, in worst cases, not feeling good enough. In such instances, seeking professional treatment for mental health disorders on time will change the course of actions one takes during their lifetime.
However, the professionals are not the only ones responsible for ensuring your children’s good health and well-being. As parents, you are equally in charge. Here are some ways to support your child during this delicate period:
1. Encourage meaningful conversations
Home should be the safe place for your child; keeping conversations open and transparent is the key to achieving this. If your child is trying to express a concern or wants to simply talk about how their day went, consider pausing what you are doing and listening to them.
There’s a chance these conversations may seem uninteresting for you, but for the child, it will instill a sense of relief, being heard and knowing you are prioritizing them.
If you are unable to engage with them immediately, politely requesting that they wait will foster mutual respect.
2. Respond with empathy
Empathy helps parents understand their children’s behavior and mood patterns and offer support and care. There will be days when all your child wants is to be in your company while minding their own business, and then there will be days when all they want to do is talk about everything under the sun.
Being empathetic creates a solid foundation, allowing your child to express their views, emotions, and ideas without fearing judgment.
Recognizing and articulating one’s feelings and emotions in a safe environment will help your children learn the art of expressing oneself appropriately without self-doubts.
3. Create healthy boundaries
Everyday stress can impact one’s mental state, and there’s always a chance that you may run thin on patience, making you vulnerable to getting irritated with the slightest inconvenience.
In such situations, it is highly recommended not to engage with your child and instead shift the focus to restoring your own peace of mind. Responding at such times can instill a sense of fear, guilt, and even remorse in your child, eventually shutting them down.
To guarantee this doesn’t happen, consider drawing clear boundaries and ensuring you get personal time without compromising your relationship with your child.
4. Spend quality time with them
Social media and online games have become a significant part of our lives. Nonetheless, it is crucial to draw clear boundaries to ensure you can spend quality time with your child without the lingering need to check your phone.
Additionally, you can play indoor games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Connect Four, etc, to unwind and strengthen the bond with your child.
These games also contribute to developing cognitive skills, nurturing critical thinking abilities, and teaching how to function while regulating emotions.
5. Don’t entertain them all the time
Keeping your kids entertained at all times will eventually become exhausting, and your little ones will become highly dependent on you for everything.
Instead, allow your kids to experience boredom and encourage them to find ways to keep themselves entertained.
Boredom is a necessary life experience that helps kids embrace inner quiet and develop creative ways to keep themselves engaged.
Bottomline
With changing times, it has become necessary for parents to work on forging a transparent, free-from-judgments bond with their kids that is directed at supporting them. By spending time with your children, you are creating positive core memories they can visit when they are in self-doubt, feeling anxious, or need comfort amidst ongoing challenges. Remember to make these moments about them while also caring for your needs.
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